Premier’s frequent travel was unsettling — Lorna Smith
Former Deputy Premier Lorna Smith levelled strong criticism at Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley over his frequent travel outside the territory, arguing that it distracted from crucial issues on the ground.
Smith’s recent statement described the Premier’s travel as “unsettling”, suggesting that she perceives these frequent absences as a sign of misaligned priorities.
Smith, who served as Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade until her recent dismissal, suggested that these frequent absences might be affecting government responsibilities. “Your frequent travel outside of the territory was unsettling as you were not according the highest priority to leading our country nor completing the requirements of the COI,” Smith wrote in a letter to the Premier immediately following her dismissal last month.
The former Deputy Premier pointed out that many issues remain unresolved within the territory, including infrastructure challenges and financial priorities. Smith noted that her “key focus” was on the BVI’s “failing infrastructure,” pointing to ongoing issues with the roads, water systems, and electricity supply. She argued that these concerns have been neglected and need urgent attention.
Alarmed at concert funding
One of Smith’s primary concerns was that the Premier’s time and the government’s limited resources had not been prioritised adequately, especially considering that the administration allocated significant funds to host events, which she deemed unnecessary.
“Your decision to hold three concerts since becoming Premier, at a cost of close to a million dollars to the country, alarmed me,” she shared while questioning the financial prudence behind such expenditures when other pressing needs exist. Smith previously voiced her concerns in the House of Assembly, describing the Premier’s unilateral decision to fund an upcoming Vybz Kartel concert as “beyond the pale”.
Smith further criticised the dismissal process, expressing disappointment in the Premier’s approach. She suggested that her removal was more about consolidating control than addressing performance-related issues. “You chose to dismiss me by stealth and surprise, informing me of it after having already asked and secured Julian Fraser’s agreement to cross the floor and assume the roles in your government, which you have given to him,” she stated.
Despite the recent challenges, Smith reaffirmed her commitment to serving the people of the Virgin Islands, even as she transitions to a role outside the Cabinet.
“I remain honoured to have been elected by the people of the Virgin Islands,” she stated, adding that her dedication to the territory’s progress remains strong.
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Stop it! stop it! You must stop it
You didnt know that when you and your entourage were jetsetting to Guyana?
Such tiny tiny minds.
I thought miss p was bitter but this one is way more bitter
De power a sweet nan wan lego
This is the hypocrisy that I cannot take. I listened to the opposition speak about this travel and she used to get up and defend it vigorously. Now because she got fired it’s all of a sudden a problem. She only got fired yesterday and now today it’s a problem. I will never vote for you again. I regret doing it in the first place.
What sweet in goat mouth does sour in their bam bam
Politics should be honorable but really it looks like a den of snakes. The one that was cut loose is cutting the grass but guess what when people call for certain change and you all sleep on it out of fear for your job and image how do you think that feels. Only now they want to put up cameras. The money used to fly around and party could have done that long ago.
People been dying.
Its a betrayal to those that voted!
You all talk about increasing revenue, getting more streams of income. What happened to the Gambling, you all passed a law and forgot about it? I hear no investment in gambling.
What happened to the cannabis law 2020 no progress and you are afraid to talk about it but still want to squeeze revenue from farming. How are you going to tax the farmers for revenue>>>>>
Let the farmers grow weed, let the people grow weed and stay off the street, let the hustlers sell weed to the tourist and call the police if someone robs them.
stop criminalizing the youth for a plant these politicians are turning them on to a culture of crime & gangs. That is what happened when alcohol was illegal, Al capone, bootleggers, smugglers.
Now we go to the bar or buy a bottle of wine in the store and no one cares. Alcohol is waaay stronger than weed.
Ignorant of the medicine politicians want a solution for security and revenue.
Every place that legalize and have crime out of control did it too late. That is the result of criminalizing near 25% of society or more. The office people are smoking street weed.
We dont know what is on that crap and Puerto Rico has a fent problem. The police did raids this year in town and there was crack and weed in the same places!
For the sake of politics they going to wait to late until our people to get addicted to real addictive drugs and suffer fatal overdoses.